Tuesday, Dec 1, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — Speaking during the opening of the SPLM/A-IO sixth Convention at the Freedom Hall, South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, said that the party is working towards building and sustaining the 2018 Revitalized Agreement of the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCISS).
In his opening remarks at the Conference, the first of its kind in Juba, Machar said the SPLM/A-IO is committed to working towards building sustainable peace in the country through the implementation of the R-ARCSS.
“The parties to the agreement are currently engaged in the process of implementation of R-ARCSS with the overarching objectives of achieving sustainable peace, security and transition democracy,” Machar told the conference.
In regard to the implementation of the peace agreement and whether it is holding or not, Machar said that the agreement is lagging behind with many mechanisms and processes falling behind their agreed deadlines.
“Some of these activities include devolution of powers and resources. Reconstitution of Transitional National legislature reforms, completion of R-TGONU, national healing and reconciliation, opening of humanitarian corridors, and opening of political space,” Dr. Machar said.
Fear of House Arrest
In line with what many senior officials have been calling a “house arrest”, Machar hints that one of the reasons that delays the implementation of the peace agreement is lack of conducive environment that allows the parties and leaders to exercise their rights and freedoms.
“In order to implement the peace agreement and ensure transition to democracy, there is a need to create a conducive environment that allows parties to exercise freedom of expression, association and assembly,” Machar said.
According to the First Vice President, Political space is critical for the process of truth, reconciliation, healing and peace dissemination.
The chairman was speaking to audience who have been calling on him to travel outside the capital to address the military and civilians in various parts of the country; however, both Machar and Kiir have not left the capital since February sparking fear that the two leaders are being watchful of one another.
The conference being held for the first time in Juba runs under the theme, “building and sustaining peace through implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.”
The IO Conference, which is expected to run for five days, is being attended by over 500 delegates comprising of politicians, military officers, and other representatives
